Posts in Essay
Prayers answered: Detroit's St. Cecilia gym to receive big renovation

What happens when an iconic community pillar begins to fade away? Well, in the case of the St. Cecilia gym in Detroit, there are two options. First, those in the area can let it deteriorate, remaining only in memory, until that all but disappears, too. Or the locals can do something about it. Resurrect and refurbish the historical basketball hotbed. They can take control of the gym’s future. They can come together and breathe the Saint back to life. And as of Wednesday (October 4) that is exactly what’s started to happen.

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EssayJake UittiHoops Hype
From fasting to pregame prayers: how religion shapes the NBA

Before every game, Bob Hill brought his teams together for a moment of silence. Hill, who coached in places like New York, Indianapolis, San Antonio and Seattle, didn’t insist on any particular message. It was simply a moment of togetherness before the start of another NBA battle. But it was in 1994 when he got to San Antonio, where David Robinson starred, that Hill was exposed to a more pointed pregame process. During a preseason game against the Knicks, Robinson, a born-again Christian, began to lead the team in prayer. Then, before the next game, the 7ft 1in center did so again. It got to be such a big part of the team’s ritual that pregame prayer became the norm – fitting, Hill says, for a roster that included Terry Cummings, an ordained minister, and Avery Johnson, who was also a born-again Christian.

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Soap operas, late-night snacks and naps: How NBA players get their rest

When it came to George Gervin’s gameday routine, no one was going to mess with his soap opera viewing. Trashy shows helped the Hall of Famer relax so he could drift off into an essential pre-game nap. Without those two-to-three hours of slumber, the “Ice Man” may not have been able to lead the NBA in scoring in four different seasons. Indeed, naps, says Gervin, have been a part of NBA life for some time. Crucial in a profession that has players and coaches up at odd hours, working themselves weary.

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EssayJake UittiThe Guardian
Money, social media and trust issues: why loneliness stalks the NBA

Making it to the NBA is a dream come true. Fans can see it on the faces of the players on draft day when their names are called. They arrive at the podium with visions of celebrity, multimillion dollar paydays and glamor as they shake the commissioner’s hand. But no matter how exciting the prospect is of playing in the league, there is more to being human than simply providing entertainment for big bucks. So, what happens when the dream fades and issues of loneliness and trust become part of a person’s day-to-day?

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EssayJake UittiThe Guardian
Trumpet vs. Trombone

When thinking about learning to play a new instrument, it’s important to consider all the options. For instance, what kind of music do you want to play? What is your budget? What type of instrument (i.e., wind, string, keyboard, percussion) holds a personal appeal for you?

Historically, two favorites amongst students have been the trumpet and trombone. These expressive brass instruments are often featured prominently in school bands and orchestras, as well as jazz ensembles and even some rock groups. But what are the differences between the two? And what makes one right for one player and another better for someone else? Let’s learn the answers to these important questions.

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EssayJake UittiYamaha
Tree Rollins, Shaq and the end of the NBA’s player-coach era

When NBA veteran Tree Rollins got a call from his old friend Brian Hill in the summer of 1993, the wheels started to turn. Hill was the new coach of the Orlando Magic, a team that included a young Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. Hill wanted Rollins to come in as an assistant to work with O’Neal, specifically. The 7ft 1in Rollins, who had just come off two seasons with the Houston Rockets backing up Hakeem Olajuwon, contemplated the offer and after a few weeks accepted. For Rollins, in his late 30s, it was a great chance to start the second phase of his basketball life. Little did he know, however, what it would soon turn into.

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Top Tips for Playing in Your First Band

Joining your first band is a momentous occasion! I should know; I joined mine some 15 years ago and it’s given me a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet people, make friends and have fun.

But while playing in a band can be exhilarating, it can also be daunting. There are plenty of responsibilities to consider, like finding time to practice, communicating with bandmates, studying music, contributing new ideas, and improving your technique. Whether it’s school orchestra, jazz band or ensemble, or just a bunch of friends that you want to share mutual musical interests with, here are some helpful tips to get things started right.

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EssayJake UittiYamaha
Always be in the ballgame’: how bench players can tilt the NBA finals

Before the 1982 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Cureton had no idea when he might play in the series. But instead of focusing on what he didn’t know, the backup forward-center for the Julius Erving-led Philadelphia 76ers focused on what he could. Stay ready, observe the game. Don’t lose sight of how to help, even in small doses. It doesn’t matter that you’re a reserve on the sidelines, Cureton told himself. Still, the experience was jarring; his first time in the league’s final series. The playoffs are a different animal compared to the regular season and the NBA finals are even more pressurized. Though this all swirled in Cureton’s mind some 40 years ago, the task remains the same for players today. Indeed, in this year’s NBA finals, players like Denver’s Bruce Brown Jr and Miami’s Duncan Robinson will undertake crucial roles coming off the bench for their squads. But what exactly does it take to excel as a backup in the league – especially in June?

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Metaverse Gaming

The metaverse is the future of gaming.

A bold statement perhaps, but the alternative digital universe allows people to interact with one another online in a variety of ways, from trading information and cryptocurrency to engaging socially and playing games — all from the comfort of home. Today, many of us are on the web via phones or laptops. In the near future, we may don VR headsets and find ourselves in new, all-encompassing worlds, some even of our own creation.

Metaverse gaming in particular is predicted to be one of the hot new trends in the coming years, but even now, there are myriad options. Gamers can become virtual miners, farmers, warriors, parents, pet owners, goalkeepers in the World Cup or pilots in outer space.

Ready to be transported into an alternate reality? Here are some of the top titles that do just that.

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EssayJake UittiYamaha
The Art of Stage Presence: 12 Artists Weigh In on What’s Most Important

The most fundamental part of being a songwriter is, of course, writing the songs. But the most important part of being a performer doesn’t always have to be the source material. The performance is the important part.

So, what are the ways that popular, successful, in-demand artists make sure to keep their live performances in top shape? Thao Nguyen to K.Flay, Ayron Jones, Emily James, Olivia Jean and more share their thoughts with American Songwriter.

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Joseph: Learning to Love Again

What happens when you achieve your dream? The immediate assumption is that it’s all gravy, that life couldn’t be sweeter. But the reality is often much more difficult. Do you rest on your laurels? Do you get up and try to do more—and, if so, at what cost? The trio of sisters who comprise the harmony-driven Portland, Oregon-born band Joseph are finding out the answers to those questions today. 

Founded by eldest sister Natalie Closner and including twins Allison Closner and Meegan Closner, Joseph has known high highs and rocky lows. To date, the group has released four acclaimed LPs and three EPs, with their latest, The Sun, set to drop on April 28. But the new album’s title represents something of a breakthrough. It’s the thesis for the band as its members try and figure out who they are and what they want to do after achieving big tours and millions of song streams.

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First Aid Kit on “Palomino”

It’s funny; sometimes the closer you are to something, the harder it is to remember how special it can be. It’s the root of the phrase, Absence makes the heart grow fonder. For the Swedish-born folk duo, First Aid Kit, they know this maxim well. Comprised of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, the group is known for its precise lyrical songwriting and blissful, angelic harmonies. But growing up, as the two sang together around the house, they didn’t think much of their vocal blend. It wasn’t until audiences raved and offered standing ovations that they knew they had something unique and lovely.

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What’s the Difference Between Fiddle and Violin?

In the world of stringed instruments, it’s a common question. After all, at first glance, a fiddle and a violin look alike. They seem to sound the same, too, when it comes to tone and range. But there must be a clear distinction, right?

Actually, no. In fact, there is no significant physical difference between the instruments. Rather, what demarcates the two is mostly the music being played and the musical approach being taken. When playing folk, country or bluegrass, for example, the instrument is understood to be a fiddle, but when playing classical music, it’s a violin. Want to know more? Keep reading …

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EssayJake UittiYamaha